Welcome to the Irish Greyhound SKILLNET


	What is the Irish Greyhound Skillnet? The Irish Greyhound Skillnet is a training resource for its members throughout the country and has been formed in response to a real need in the workplace for ‘best in class’ training and development at realistic and very affordable prices. The story so far ... Since the Greyhound Skillnet was launched in 2006, 350 trainees have participated in 104 training events. 2,187 training days were conducted as well as 4 non-training events. The Greyhound Skillnet provided lectures and workshops on: • Routine Examination of greyhounds • From conception to sapling • Foot Injuries • Stress Related Injuries • Artificial Insemination • Nutrition • Business Development • Therapy Equipment • Physiotherapy and stretching • Blood and Urine Testing Procedures • Vaccinations / Boosters / Parasites / Worming • Welfare / Track Maintenance / Prohibitive Substances In addition members enjoyed a range of “Open Days” to nationally remowned facilities including Dunphys in Portlaw, Newpark Stud and Shelbourne Stud. Members of the Skillnet were given a guided tours of there facilities and were able see how the experts achieved their success. A number of master classes were also held, providing intensive programmes including the very popular veterinary master class with Plunkett Devlin. .
	Network Manager - Gráinne Lynch Gráinne is the Network Manager for the Greyhound Skillnet. Gráinne has been involved in the greyhound industry for many years and has an avid interest in the development of the Irish Greyhound sector. Gráinne is responsible for all elements of the network operation including procurement, training development and delivery and supporting the steering committee. She can be contacted at: info@greyhoundskillnet.com or 022-53407

	Steering Committee Chairman Frank O’ Connell is the chairman of the Greyhound Skillnet. He was the chairman of the Irish Greyhound Owners and Breeders Federation between 2004-2006, when he was asked to join the board of the Irish Greyhound Board. Frank was one of the founding members of the Greyhound Skillnet and has remained committed to the concept of training as a means to professionalise the industry since the beginning.
	Secretary Willie Kenny has being involved in greyhounds from a very young age. He has a love and passion for the sport and wants to see it progress. Willie was the author of a number of prominent greyhound publications Winning Lines I, II and III. Willie also established a periodical for the greyhound industry called The Greyhound Advertiser and is currently working on his latest project which is an on-line breeding database and predictor. Jim O’Dwyer is the HR Manager with the Irish Greyhound Board. Jim has a long and illustrious career in the HR sector having previously worked as HR Manager with the international project management Company PM and with multinational companies including Pfizer. Jim has been with the IGB since 2006 and has been instrumental in developing an organisational strategic plan in conjunction with CEO Adrian Neilan. Kim Samzone was PR & Promotion Manager and then assistant general manager with Romford Greyhound Stadium. She has very in-depth knowledge of the greyhound sector in both Ireland and the UK. She was a member of the BGRB Marketing committee and was the industry representative for the National Greyhound Owners club. Kim moved to Ireland in 2004 as General Manager of Lifford Stadium. She set up my own company in 2007 selling natural greyhound products. Shelia H Devoy first got involved in greyhounds by purchasing 2 pups in 1993.One of these Ambitious Blue won several races on the Dublin tracks.She has since been involved in owning,breeding and training dogs.Her first administrative role was as Secretary of the Wicklow GOBA for several years.In 2004 she moved to Laois where she set up Ambitious Kennels and took out her Public Trainers license.She joined the board of Irish Greyhound Skillnets in 2006 and continues to serve as a Director. Ger O’Callaghan Michael Enright is an accountant and financial controller with a long-standing passion for greyhound training and racing. In the 1980’s the Enright family started using the ‘Summerhill’ prefix and were privileged to own and train many good greyhounds to carry that name. In 1986 one of their most successful years, a small string of Enright-trained greyhounds won a total of 60 races – mainly open class. The Enrights also trained many other greyhounds including: Early Potter, Solo Special, Ministrone and the ‘Great’ Dads Bank. Among their most prestigious successes were: Two Puppy Derbys, Guinness 600, Cesarewitch, Dundalk International, Gold Collar, Cox Cup, Second in English Derby, 5 Track Records and many others.